Israel and Hamas agree ceasefire

Israel and Hamas have agreed a ceasefire deal after 15 months of war.

Details of the deal have not yet been shared, but it is believed it could stop the war and release Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

The war began in October 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. More than 250 hostages were taken back to Gaza and around 1,200 people were killed. Since then more than 46,700 people are believed to have been killed in Gaza by Israel's offensive.

While it is believed both sides have agreed to the deal, it still needs to be approved by the Israeli security cabinet and government. Should it be approved, the deal will come into effect on Sunday.

In the meantime, the conflict is still ongoing. Since the deal was announced on Wednesday evening, Gaza's civil defence agency has said that at least 73 Palestinians have been killed.

The deal is expected to be delivered in three stages. The first stage would see a complete ceasefire and release of some hostages and prisoners. Israeli troops would also pull out of all populated areas of Gaza and Palestinians could return. There would also be a huge rise in the amount of aid allowed into to Gaza.

The second stage would be a permanent end to the war, with the remaining hostages freed in return for more Palestinian prisoners. Israeli troops would fully withdraw from Gaza.

The third and final stage would see the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the bodies of any remaining hostages.